Natural Antibiotics: Home Alternatives to Drugs

| Modified on May 03, 2017
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Antibiotics aren't the strict purview of your local doctor. Nature is full of natural antibiotics as well, including herbal remedies, vegetables, and simple home remedies of all kinds!

Garlic might be the most commonly recognized food with potent antibiotic properties, but cayenne peppers, honey, black tea, green tea, citrus fruits, and a host of other natural antibiotic foods, essential oils, tinctures, and other possibilities are available.

Natural Remedies: Ginger is taken with sushi because it is a potent antibiotic, oregano oil is frequently used to kill fungal and other skin infections, cumin and cinnamon are spicy options, and colloidal silver is a very potent antibiotic for some health concerns. Vinegar too is said to be one of many other natural antibiotic options.

Sometimes the doctor's potent antibiotics are the best course of medical action, but if you would like to pursue a more natural route in other cases, consider the following natural antibiotic ideas!


Astragalus

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Posted by Jan (Pryor, OK) on 11/24/2014
★★★★★

My son was born C-Section and was diagnosed with Asthma at 4-months old. I read Prevention Magazine about ASTRAGALUS, it is a PROBIOTIC. We have not taken antibiotic in over 15 years. It builds up your white blood cells that fight infections. It is also antiviral fights viruses. Research it on webmd.com. When I worked at the hospital, a nurse researched it and said it prevents cancer cells from dividing to multiply. And stabilizes blood sugar if diabetic. I had Bronchitis real bad. I was using son's inhaler. I took 3-500mg. pills Three times a day for 3 days on 4th day went to the Doctor, had a blood test, doctor said I didn't need an antibiotic. She previously said she thought I would need 4 prescriptions of antibiotics back to back! She knew I researched herbal remedies and asked what I took. I told her and she went back to school to learn Wholeness Medicine.


Cat's Claw

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Posted by Diamond (Salisbury, Usa) on 08/31/2011

Ted;I was looking for an herb for my kitten where she was sicker then usual, I noticed in one of your older messages to use peruvian bark? how-ever it is a bark from peru but the given name is cats claw. I had a hard time finding the bark from peru. So in case people need to know the real herb. And thank you Ted for your much needed help, at least it sent me out in the right direction and has helped my sick kitten a lot.

Replied by Kelly
(Sidney, Ohio)
02/07/2013

I have thyroid disease and high bp. My immune system is weak. I'm lookin for natural stuff to help. Doctors just want to feed me pills. There's got to be a better way.


Cat's Claw
Posted by Suzanne (Abbotsford, Bc) on 03/10/2010
★★★★★

When my 85-year-old mother was very sick with e coli, the doctor wanted to put her on antibiotics. I didn't want to do that to her, so I asked a local pharmacist, who is also an herbalist, if he could recommend anything. He recommended a form of Cat's Claw, which I gave her. Within a couple of hours she was up and wanting to do the dishes!

I have used it myself, with similar results, for infections and viruses, etc. What it does is strengthen your immune system and fix your DNA, apparently. It seems to be ok to take it regularly, if you wish. Do watch the expiry date, though, as it does appear to lose effectiveness over time.

HOWEVER, children and women who are pregnant, wish to be, or breastfeeding should NOT take it, as I have seen warnings against that. Apparently it is even used as a type of birth control in some areas where it is grown.

Replied by Kamran
(Nyc, Ny Usa)
11/07/2011

It would be nice if you told us what "form" of Cats Claw you used!!! Please give us the name..

Thanks

Replied by Linda
(Newton Falls, Ohio)
05/03/2017

Does anyone know how much do you need to take for a chest infection?


Cayenne in Tomato Juice

Posted by DENNIS (BYHALIA, MS) on 01/04/2008

...ALSO NOW DAILY AS A NATURAL ANTIBIOTIC AND AS AN IMMUNE BOOSTER /ANTIOXIDENT
I MIX ONE HEAPING TEASPOON OF CAYENNE PEPPER INTO ONE CUP OF TOMATO JUICE AND DRINK IN THE AM AND ANOTHER CUP BEFORE BED IN THE PM.
THIS GREAT TASTING TREAT WILL GENTLY PURGE OUT YOUR WHOLE SYSTEM AND WILL ENHANCE YOUR TOTAL PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH...(HEY GUYS IT HAS AN EFFECT ON US EVEN BETTER THAN VIAGRA)

PS: CANCER CELLS UNDER A MICROSCOPE HATE THIS MIX AS WELL!
BEST WISHES FOR BETTER HEALTH!


Garlic

4 User Reviews
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Posted by Neil (Auckland, New Zealand) on 08/29/2007
★★★★★

I get tonsillitises frequently (every 4-6 weeks) and it usually takes 1 week to recover. I have tried prescribed antibiotics with no effect. However, after reading about garlic on this website, I gave it a shot and I was totally amazed at how fast I recover. There is a dramatic difference the following day after I take a clove of garlic soup before going to bed and I make total recovery within 3 days. With prescription antibiotics, it used to take about 1 week, including gargling every couple of hours. Even when I am ok, I take garlic soup about 2 times a week, and this is the first time ever that I have gone through winter without getting a cold!! I peel a clove of garlic and cut them in half lengthwise. Then I boil it for a couple of minutes in 1.5 cup water and add a pinch of salt, teaspoon of butter, a pinch of pepper and sprinkle with nutmeg. I take is as a soup as the garlic is soft enough to be eaten. Works wonders for me.

Replied by Bkag
(Oh)
10/25/2013

Hi there. I tried the garlic drink and it helped but I'm back to being stuffed up. How often do you drink this? Once a day? More than once a day? Suggestions?

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee, Usa)
10/26/2013

Bkag,

When I am using garlic to fight infection, I try to give it at least 3-4 times a day. Even every two hours is not unreasonable (during waking hours.) I continue until symptoms are gone and not returning.

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Mmsg
(Somewhere, Europe)
10/26/2013

Bkag, around here we drink rose hip/hibiscus tea with honey and lemon for colds and stuffed noses (and dress a bit warmer than is comfortable). We take 3-4 teas a day and it usually helps in 2 days. But then we continue 1-2 teas for a bit more so as to prevent a relapse.

So maybe you need to drink it for a few days AFTER you are all cured.


Garlic
Posted by Michelle (Albuquerque, NW) on 01/09/2007
★★★★★

Fresh Garlic cured my Bronchitis and Sinus Infection. 1 finely diced clove (not the entire bulb) 3x's daily with any complimentary food that has been cooled almost to room temp (eg. diced tomatoes, avocado, chicken noodle soup, spaghetti sauce, pizza, or even apple pie.) Garlic is a natural antibiotic and antifungal. Within an hour or so, easier to breather and think, in 4 days cleared up symptoms. Took for 7 days to eliminate any chance of becoming ill again. Drawbacks: odiferous breath, and the odor also emanates from the pores of the skin. Use strong breath mints/cologne/essential oils to your liking.

Replied by Mimi
(Portland, Or)
02/29/2012
★★★★★

I had a very bad yeast infection off and on for 7 months. Tried everything and my last hope was garlic.I put it inside of me on a string and chopped a glove everyday and ate it. Gone after 1.5 days. Don't waste your money on stuff- just by a couple of organic garlic. Just remember it is natural and good for you!

Replied by Shari
(Richmond, Usa)
03/25/2012

how did u use it for yeast infection?

Replied by Three-little-pitties
(Minnetonka, Mn, Usa)
03/29/2012
★★★★★

I just wanted to post a note about garlic and a followup to curing yeast infections. First I agree garlic is a wonderful herb! There were a few years I had terrible teeth problems and could not seek help. When I got a tooth infection, my cheek would swell up quite large and it was painful to say the least. 1 clove of garlic diced or smashed and then swallowed 4 times a day and the swelling and pain would be gone in 24 to 48 hours. When I could stand it, I would also put a smashed clove directly on the infected area. While I would feel a burning sensation after a few minutes, it worked wonders.

I believe most often, yeast infections are a result of prescription antibiotics because they kill the good bacteria along with the bad, thus leaving us females ripe for repeated yeast infections. If you have experienced this, please take probiotics for at least a few months to get your body back on track.


Garlic, Apple Cider Vinegar

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Posted by Terri (Logandale Nv) on 09/12/2013
★★★★★

I had an infected bug bite on my face. It was bad and getting worse, going into my ear. Garlic clove and apple cider vinegar. knocked me out and fixed me. My fever ..... Gone. Ooze....gone.

1 clove minced garlic
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Glass water

Then about 10 minutes later I drank 1/2 cup milk.

Replied by Kathy
(Florence, Or)
01/25/2016

Did the person who wrote this about garlic and vinegar say how many times a day to use this? I would like to try something natural because antibiotics Give me very bad yeast infections. Even w probiotics - thanks for your time - I have already emailed you re this matter however I don't think I made sense due to my pain level - God be with you - Mrs. Hein

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee)
01/25/2016

When we use garlic as an antibiotic, we use one clove 3-4 times a day.

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Mary
(Illinois)
02/09/2016

For yeast infections or bladder infections or urinary tract infections I would highly suggest drinking a lot of cranberry juice, or cran apple juice, and if you don't like the taste of it go to the vitamin section and get cranberry pills. This should take care of it fairly quickly . best of luck to ya :)


Garlic, Lime, Apple Cider Vinegar

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Posted by Jose (Leander, Tx, Usa) on 05/05/2011
★★★★★

I usually eat a clove of garlic and drink a glass of water with a splash of Apple Cider Vinegar everynight so I can sleep better and wake up the next morning feeling refreshed. I usually never get sick becuase I beleive the garlic and Apple Cider Vinegar help my body fight off viruses and bacteria. But last winter I got extrememly ill since it was my first winter working in snow. My co worker told me that when he went to Brazil they would cut a whole lime into fourths and boil it for 15mins. He said they would drink it to help get rid of what it is making them sick. I told him about my garlic and Apple Cider Vinegar he laughed because in Brazil they eat garlic so mosquitos and bugs will not bite them.

So I tried boiling some limes but I boiled them with 4cloves of garlic minced. Once I got the drink cool enough I poured it all into a cup and put a splash of acv. I sipped it and it was a horrible taste but I knew I had to get better so I finished it. To my surprise I could feel it work, 15minutes into it I was coughing out some really ugly stuff and I could just feel my system sweating out everything. Try this garlic lime Apple Cider Vinegar trick if you are feeling really sick it worked for me.


Goldenseal

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Posted by Misty (Massachusetts) on 02/23/2014
★★★★★

I was diagnosed with many illnesses as well as a crippling disease.

My doctor continued to give me antibiotics where it eventually did some severe harm to my immune system, again I was informed I needed to take antibiotics, this last time I almost had a heart attack, I hope I will never be forced to take these meds. again not even through IVs

I have been searching high and low for a substitute antibiotic and found one Dr. Oz suggested... Goldenseal root (Hydrastis Canadensis). Be sure all these words are on the back of the herbal bottle in to assure you of its quality. I found it to be great. This herb was used by the Native Americans. This herb has 5% alkaloids. Good luck.

Replied by Timh
(Ky, Usa)
02/24/2014
2048 posts

Misty: Goldenseal Root is the best source of Berberine but the wild population has declined much over the last several decades. Try to find a cultivated variety or rotate w/ Oregon Grape root (the second best source of Berberine).

Forgive me if I come off as hypercritical, but it will soon become apparent that Berberine alone will not prove a magic bullet if your health is in much decline. You will also need to incorporate other natural antibiotics and immune boosters like Oregano, Garlic, Neem, Grapefruitseed, Reishi, Maitake, Reishi Mushrooms. Zinc, Vit-A, and Vit-C and D are critical for immune function. Supplementing Raw Thymus Glandular will help.

Hope these tips help you. Let us know how your doing.


Green Tea

Posted by C.S.M (VERO BEACH, FL) on 03/17/2009

Consider adding Green Tea to your antibiotics or natural remedies. It may boost the effectiveness. See this study:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/102312.php

Best Wishes!

Replied by David
(Uk)
05/06/2014

Natural sea salt is the most powerful antibiotic on the planet. Number one in natural medicine and more powerful and effective than all of the antibiotics pushed by pharmaceutical companies in conventional medicine.


Natural Antibiotic Recipe

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Posted by Peter (Bolsover, UK) on 12/07/2007

The recipe is very old. I spent ages working out the method.

Recipe for a NATURAL ANTIBIOTIC
________________________________

Ingredients with notes:
(One level cup of each) (1cup is 240ml)

1. Horse radish (fresh).
One bunch should be enough. Remove any foliage. Do not peel.
2. Garlic
Two large cloves.
Remove outer covering of the bulb, keeping cloves whole, that is, do not peel.
3. Ginger
One half a root should be enough.
Must be fresh, firm and smooth. The length of the tubers indicated how mature it is. The more mature, the hotter it is. Clean but do not peel as it will be grated/blended/liquidised.
4. Chilli (must be Habernaro or Red-eye)
'10 or 11 fruits. Remove any growth but do not peel.
5. White onions (The hottest ones available)
'2 large white onions (UK are hotter than Spanish)
Remove outer only.
6. Apple cider vinegar (unprocessed, cloudy)
I litre (two pints) is adequate
Can be hard to find but persist.
I have endeavoured to give the closest approximation for a level cup measure. Slightly more or less won't really matter; this is a powerful brew!

Note: Just out of interest, it has cost me 15.00GBP to make 2 litres, which includes postage on the chillies and vinegar, which I could not get locally.

Note:
Cider may be bought here:
http://www.ostlerscidermill.co.uk/

Other equipment:
Fine grater or blender (a blender is obviously easier!)
Tall glass jar (1 litre) (will be 2/3 filled to allow for expansion)
Dropper bottles (50mls) (available from most chemists)
Small funnel
Disposable gloves
Dishes for the grated/blended ingredients

Method:

Note: After removing any foliage, wash the ingredients in some apple-cider vinegar. Itself is a natural antibiotic. A great deal of tap-water is fluoridated, which is what we don't want!

Use disposable gloves! All these ingredients are very potent!

1. Chop ingredients 1-5 as fine as possible or use a blender. Grate or blend each ingredient separately to ensure correct amount (one cupful). You don't have to clean the blender after each ingredient!
2. Put mixture into a glass jar/s. A jar, I believe is a quart or approx. 1 litre.
3. Fill to 2/3 of glass jar with the mixture and add Apple cider vinegar (unprocessed, cloudy) allowing about an inch (2.5cm) below the neck of the jar, this will to allow for any expansion. Cover.
4. Shake well.
5. Label bottle with 'Natural Antibiotic' and with the date of bottling.
6. Shake every morning and night for 2 to 3 weeks.

After 2-3 weeks:
1. Strain through clean cotton fabric until clear of sediment.
Important Notes: You can also strain through unbleached coffee filters, the method I used to start with. I put the filter into a funnel (a wide spout if you can get one) and poured the mixture through it into a glass container.

However, actually doing the filtering can take a long time. I found the best thing to do was to allow the concentrate to settle by itself. It takes about a day for the sediment to settle properly, leaving a clear liquid above.

After that, carefully draw off the solution, leaving the sediment as much as possible. This may also take some time but the end result is better. Keep drawing off the liquid until it is as clear as possible and finally put the lot through another filter.

2. Pour into dropper bottles (usually 50ml), using a small funnel.

Note: A litre bottle/jar of the mixture makes about 1 pint (1/2litre) of juice.

The resultant mixture can be stored in a dark, dry cupboard or a refrigerator, for up to 2 years.


Dosage:
Adults: 2 droppers-full placed under the tongue, left for a few seconds and then washed down with a small gllass of water (not essential but it's pretty warm!). Repeat 2-3 times per day as often as symptoms require.

Children: 1 dropper-full placed under the tongue, left for a few seconds and then washed down with a glass of water (probably essential). Repeat 2-3 times per day as often as symptoms require.


ONLY TAKE IT WHEN YOU NEED IT

Replied by Shino
(Auckland, New Zealand)
09/13/2008

hi, im interested in making your concoction but i have a question - with your garlic do you mean two cloves or two bulbs??? thanks

Replied by Steve
(Pembroke, Wales, UK)
07/30/2009

Hi Peter,

Your antibiotic concoction sounds great. Would you consider selling me some ready made?

Best regards
Steve

Replied by Jeanne
(Fredericksburg, Va)
01/31/2010

It is illegal to dispense remedies w/o a license, but he can give you the recipe. My best friend's grandmother went to jail for 2 years for "dispensing medicine w/o a license."

Be VERY careful!

Jeanne

Replied by Lutie
(Louisville, Ky)
01/31/2010

Regarding what Jeanne, from Fredericksburg, stated...all of this is food, so it is a recipe for a drink. How it is regulated depends upon which country it is in and how good of an attorney one can get... So sorry your friend's grandmother went to jail, but you do not say what exactly occurred...she may have been telling others it was medicine or using items other than food...there is a fine line. This man who has this food recipe is from the UK, home of many remedies still not regulated by the silly FDA rules of the USA...remember, they are the regulatory agency who allows MSG and Aspartame to be in all of our foods.

Replied by Alfred
(Amsterdam, Netherlands)
05/26/2010
★★★★★

This recipe for a natural antibiotic fascinated me. So I made a bunch. Until now I had no real need for this concoction. Last week an inflamation in my jaw flared up once more since years. The whole right side of my upper and lower jaw was inflamed. Pain would send me through the roof when biting on some food.

I started oil pulling right away but this only marginally alleviated the pain and the inflamation did not seem to lessen. Then I remembered that I still had this natural antibiotic in the fridge. This stuff works very well for my problem. The inflamation is under control and the pain is gone.

No more need for Ibuprofen just to survive the pain.

Replied by Anita
(Lyons, Ny Usa)
05/23/2011

Just so you know I got this recipe years ago from an old german doctor who knew when I took antibiotics that I would end up with more problems. Over the years.. I have made it different ways. Now I just use already chopped garlic, horseradish from a jar, and ground fresh ginger from a jar. I also dont put in the hot peppers, and I use just normal apple cider vinegar but the one thing she told me was most important and makes sense is that this shouldn't be refrigerated. It is live and refrigeration kinda kills it. Also this is good in a pot roast in the slow cooker too... I cook all the time with it and just take a tablespoon a day and am 51 with no health issues at all.

Replied by Mom1951
(Mcallen, Tx)
05/24/2011

To Anita from Lyons, Ny

How did you mix this recipe, how much of each do you mix or do you use it with meals?

Replied by Thelma
(Marsing, Idaho)
04/22/2012

recipe for strong antibotics. I have seen a recipe that you make with honey and you steep it. The longer you steep it the stronger it becomes. Can anyone find this recipe?

EC: Perhaps the top post in the thread we have attached is the recipe you are looking for?

Replied by Mirka
(Town Of Mount Royal)
06/27/2013

How long do you have to keep taking the treatment and how long does the antibiotic last before it needs to be thrown out?

Replied by Cherie
(Illinois, US)
01/09/2015

The above concoction with garlic, horseradish and such is an old folk remedy with several names. Fire Cider, Master tonic, and Fire Tonic 9 to name a few.

Recipe & instructions for use:

http://mountainroseblog.com/fire-cider/

Replied by Sheryl
(Auburn, Washington)
06/28/2016

I love this recipe! I'll be making it today


Remedy Depends on Infection Type

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Posted by Leah (Uk) on 01/07/2016
★★★★★

Natural Antibiotics:

When I am fighting an infection I use a variety of remedies. I may vary it slightly form the stated remedies here depending on the type of infection.

For example I have just had a dental abscess. I treated it with pau d'arco tea, turmeric, cayenne pepper, spirulina, ahwaganda, astragalus, maca, rhodiola plus a whole host of fruit and vegetables. I took capsules of the above herbs several times a day. Within a week I was right as rain. I could eat on the abscessed tooth within 3 to 4 days.

Many herbs aren't designed for long term use and should only be used when you are ill. It's worth knowing which is which for these times. I buy loose herbs and encapsulate myself. This is the cheapest way to buy if you are going to be using herbs regularly as medicine and for preventative means. They can also be made into tinctures or teas in a loose format (which I also do depending on the herb).

Garlic can of course be used but it takes about 4-6 raw cloves of garlic a day to beat an infection. Since I have to be around people, I can't bear to stink that badly! However it's a great option for anyone without access to more exotic herbs. Just remember that a couple of slices of frozen garlic bread is not going to cure your infection! You have to hit it hard. You should also take a probiotic when taking garlic. Odourless capsules are not effective - don't waste your money. Use it in it's fresh state and mainly raw.